Homare Sawa
Sawa at the 2015 World Cup
Personal information
Full name Homare Sawa[1]
Date of birth (1978-09-06) 6 September 1978
Place of birth Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1999 NTV Beleza 136 (79)
1999–2000 Denver Diamonds
2001–2003 Atlanta Beat 55 (13)
2004–2008 Nippon TV Beleza 85 (47)
2009–2010 Washington Freedom 41 (6)
2009 → Nippon TV Beleza (loan) 4 (2)
2010 Nippon TV Beleza 0 (0)
2011–2015 INAC Kobe Leonessa 94 (12)
Total 415 (159)
International career
1993–2015 Japan 205 (83)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  Japan
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place2012 LondonTeam
FIFA Women's World Cup
Winner2011 Germany
Runner-up2015 Canada
AFC Women's Asian Cup
Winner2014 Vietnam
Runner-up1995 Malaysia
Runner-up2001 Chinese Taipei
Bronze medal – third place1993 Malaysia
Bronze medal – third place1997 China
Bronze medal – third place2008 Vietnam
Bronze medal – third place2010 China
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place2010 GuangzhouTeam
Silver medal – second place1994 HiroshimaTeam
Silver medal – second place2006 DohaTeam
Bronze medal – third place1998 BangkokTeam
Bronze medal – third place2002 BusanTeam
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Homare Sawa (澤 穂希, Sawa Homare, born 6 September 1978) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward or a midfielder. Regarded by many as one of the greatest female footballers of all time and the greatest Asian female footballer of all time,[3][4][5] Sawa had a professional club career spanning 24 seasons, mostly with Nippon TV Beleza and INAC Kobe Leonessa. She also spent 22 years with the Japan national team, most notably captaining them to a FIFA Women's World Cup win in 2011 and an Olympic silver medal finish in 2012.

Sawa made her club debut in 1991 at the age of 12, and later went on to win five titles with Nippon TV Beleza between 1991 and 1999 before departing to the United States to play football in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). She played for two WUSA clubs- the Atlanta Beat and the Denver Diamonds- before returning to the Japanese league in 2004. Sawa won another nine titles with Nippon TV Beleza in four years, but departed the club again in 2008. That year, Japan reached their first Olympic medal match at the Summer Olympics, and Sawa was Japan's top scorer of the tournament.

In 2011, Sawa captained the Japan national team at the 2011 World Cup. In Germany, Japan advanced to their first final of a major international tournament, where Sawa scored Japan’s match-tying goal in extra time, allowing Japan to win the match on penalties. She finished the tournament with the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player and the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer. Later in the year, Sawa was named the 2011 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, the first Asian person regardless of gender to receive a major year-end individual award. She later captained Japan to a silver medal finish at the 2012 Summer Olympics and then retired from international football for the first time immediately after completion of the tournament.

Sawa returned to her role in the Japan national team to play in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, her sixth World Cup and the final major international tournament of her career. Japan reached their second-ever Women’s World Cup final that year, and after a runner-up finish, she retired from international football for the second and final time. At the end of the year, after winning the 2015 Empress's Cup with INAC Kobe Leonessa, she retired from football completely. She retired from club football with 11 league titles and 8 domestic cup titles in the Japanese League, and was also named to the league's Best XI for 11 seasons.

Sawa remains the leader in both caps and goals for Japan, with 205 and 83 respectively.

Early life

Sawa was born in Fuchū, Tokyo on 6 September 1978. She began playing football at the age of six. While watching her older brother train, she was invited by his coach to join the boys' team on the pitch.[6]

Club career

NTV Beleza

In 1991, long considered Japan's finest female footballer, Sawa was promoted to Yomiuri Beleza (later NTV Beleza) from youth team by manager Kazuhiko Takemoto. She made her debut in L.League, Japan's highest domestic league, at the young age of 12.[7] She played as forward and played 136 matches and scored 79 goals in League. She was also selected Best Eleven 5 times (1993, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998).

In 1999, NTV Beleza cancelled Sawa’s contract, forcing her to move abroad to the United States.[8]

Atlanta Beat

With the birth of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) in 2001, Sawa found herself playing in the highest-level professional women's league in the United States, for the Atlanta Beat. She scored the first goal in the club's history, and was a centerpiece of the Beat's three seasons in the league, helping them into the playoffs each year. Despite her diminutive stature at 5'5" (165 cm) tall and 121 lbs. (55 kg), she held her own with the mostly larger and more physical players, and was regularly among the team and league leaders in fouls taken.

Nippon TV Beleza

Following the WUSA's demise in 2003, Sawa returned to Japan, where she played with powerhouse Nippon TV Beleza. In 2004, she was named Women's Player of the Year for the Asian Football Confederation. She played the club until 2008. The club won L.League championship for four years in a row (2005–2008). She also was selected L.League MVP awards in 2006 and 2008.

Washington Freedom

On 24 September 2008, Sawa was selected by the Washington Freedom in the first round of the 2008 WPS International Draft. She was a fixture in the Freedom midfield through the league's first two seasons in 2009 and 2010.

Nippon TV Beleza and INAC Kobe Leonessa

Sawa returned to Japan temporarily at the end of the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season, and joined Nippon TV Beleza on loan.[9] At the end of 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season, she returned to Nippon TV Beleza.

In January 2011, Sawa moved to INAC Kobe Leonessa due to financial strain at Nippon TV Beleza, with international players; Shinobu Ohno, Yukari Kinga, and Chiaki Minamiyama. The club won the L.League championship three years in a row (2011–2013). On 16 December 2015, she announced her intent to retire at the end of the 2015 season. At the 2015 Empress's Cup, Sawa's final tournament as a player, INAC Kobe Leonessa reached the final. In the final against Albirex Niigata on 27 December, she scored the lone goal of the match in the 78th minute to secure the championship for her side.[10]

International career

Sawa captaining Japan in the 2011 World Cup

On 6 December 1993, at age 15, Sawa made her Japanese international debut, scoring four goals in her first ever match, a win against the Philippines.[11] Sawa debuted in her first Women’s World Cup tournament in 1995, making her first start at 16 years old against Germany.[12]

On 12 July 2003, Sawa scored the tie-winning goal against Mexico in 2003 Women’s World Cup qualification play-offs to secure Japan’s participation in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup.[8][13]

Sawa played in all of Japan’s matches at the 2004 Olympics, leading them to the knockout round of a major international tournament for the first time in Japan’s history.[8]

Sawa scored a hat trick in a 2011 World Cup group stage match against Mexico, becoming the then-oldest player in World Cup history to score a hat trick.[m 1][14][15] Sawa led the Japanese national team as captain to a world championship victory at the 2011 World Cup . After a 2–2 tie in front of a sellout crowd in Frankfurt, Germany (with one goal by Sawa in the 117th minute), Japan won the penalty shootout 3–1, defeating the United States to win their first ever World Cup.[16] Sawa was awarded the Golden Boot for being the tournament's leading scorer with five goals and the Golden Ball for being the tournament's MVP.[17]

On 9 January 2012, Sawa was awarded the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year in Zurich, Switzerland.[18] She broke Marta’s streak of 5 consecutive FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year awards, and also became the first Asian person regardless of gender to receive a major individual year-end award.[19]

In February of that year, Aya Miyama took over captaincy of Japan from Sawa.[20][21]

Yuki Ogimi (17) scores for Japan against the United States off a pass from Homare Sawa (10) as Kelley O'Hara (5) defends and Hope Solo (1) attempts to save.

At the 2012 London Olympics, Japan met the United States in the gold medal match where they were defeated 2-1.[22] She announced her immediate retirement from international football in August 2012.[23] In October 2012, she was shortlisted for the 2012 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, where she finished 4th place in the voting.[24]

Sawa returned to international competition in 2014 at the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup, which served as qualifiers to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Sawa scored Japan’s opening goal in the semifinal against China, helping Japan win 2-1 to send them to the final.[25] Japan went on to win the final 1–0 against Australia, claiming their first ever Asian Cup title.[26][27]

Sawa was absent for many months after Japan’s Asian Cup win, coinciding with multiple injuries.[11][28] In November 2014, Sawa was a member of the first round of inductees into the Asian Football Hall of Fame.[29] In March 2015, Norio Sasaki left Sawa out of Japan’s squad for the 2015 Algarve Cup despite her being injury-free.[21] Her exclusion from the Algarve Cup squad presented speculation that she would not be named to Japan’s World Cup roster, as the Algarve Cup was typically used as warm-up matches for major international competitions.[11][30]

To some surprise, Sawa was called into Japan’s 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup squad after not featuring for Japan for the second half of 2014 or the early months of 2015.[12][28] She did not regain her captaincy, however, which was still held by Aya Miyama. She returned to the national team from injury after a one-year absence, marking the occasion by scoring Japan’s match-winning goal in a friendly against New Zealand.[31] On 8 June, she started Japan’s first match of the 2015 Women's World Cup, achieving her 200th cap with 57 minutes against Switzerland.[32] Sawa and Brazil's Formiga became the first footballers to appear for a record sixth World Cup.[note 1] Sawa had an off-the-bench role for the remainder of the tournament, starting just twice in seven games. Japan went on to advance to the final against the United States, where Sawa was subbed into the match in the 33rd minute after Japan had already conceded four goals. Japan went on to lose 5–2 to the U.S. in the final in what would end up being Sawa’s last ever match with the Nadeshiko.[33]

On 16 December 2015, Sawa announced her retirement from football after the completion of the 2015 Nadeshiko League season. Sawa’s retirement was met with tributes from people across Japanese football, including coach Norio Sasaki, teammates Yuki Nagasato, Eriko Arakawa, and Azusa Iwashimizu, and male footballing compatriot Shunsuke Nakamura.[34]

Career statistics

Club

As of 11 November 2012
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Yomiuri Beleza 1991 135——
1992 203——
1993 175——
1994 1711——
1995 1816——
1996 1714——
1997 1814——
1998 1611——
1999 00——
Total 136790000
Denver Diamonds 1999 —
2000 —
Total
Atlanta Beat 2001 193———193
2002 217———217
2003 153———153
Total 55130000005513
Nippon TV Beleza 2004 65——
2005 211653——2619
2006 171332——2015
2007 2064520—2611
2008 21741——258
Total 85472000
Washington Freedom 2009 203——1[lower-alpha 1]0203
2010 213———213
Total 416000010416
Nippon TV Beleza (loan) 2009 4241——83
Nippon TV Beleza 2010 —10——10
INAC Kobe Leonessa 2011 16440——204
2012 1723040—242
2013 60—
Total 3367010000506
Career total
  1. ↑ Appearance in play-offs

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[35][36]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Japan 199344
199461
199580
1996103
1997713
1998104
199980
200011
200186
200285
20031210
200482
200593
2006177
2007146
2008157
200910
2010153
2011145
2012101
201320
201481
201581
Total20583
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sawa goal.
List of international goals scored by Homare Sawa
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
16 December 1993Sarawak State Stadium, Kuching, Malaysia PhilippinesUnknown15–01993 AFC Women's Championship
2
3
4
520 August 1994Slovakia SlovakiaUnknown2–2Slovakia international Women's Cup
610 July 1996Fort Lauderdale, United States AustraliaUnknown2–2Friendly
7
815 July 1996Fort Lauderdale, United States SwedenUnknown1–3Friendly
95 December 1997Guangzhou, China GuamUnknown21–01997 AFC Women's Championship
10
11
12
13
14
15
167 December 1997Guangzhou, China India1–01–01997 AFC Women's Championship
179 December 1997Guangzhou, China Hong KongUnknown9–01997 AFC Women's Championship
18
19
2014 December 1997Guangzhou, China Chinese Taipei1–02–01997 AFC Women's Championship
212–0
228 December 1998Bangkok, Thailand ThailandUnknown6–0Football at the 1998 Asian Games
2312 December 1998Bangkok, Thailand VietnamUnknown8–0Football at the 1998 Asian Games
24
25
2617 December 2000Phoenix, United States United States1–11–1Friendly
274 December 2001Taipei, Taiwan SingaporeUnknown14–02001 AFC Women's Championship
28
29
30
318 December 2001Taipei, Taiwan GuamUnknown11–02001 AFC Women's Championship
32
339 April 2002Poitiers, France Canada2–13–2Friendly
343–1
354 October 2002Changwon, South Korea Vietnam3–03–0Football at the 2002 Asian Games
367 October 2002Masan, South Korea South Korea1–01–0Football at the 2002 Asian Games
379 October 2002Changwon, South Korea China2–02–2Football at the 2002 Asian Games
389 June 2003Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Philippines7–015–02003 AFC Women's Championship
3911 June 2003Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand GuamUnknown7–02003 AFC Women's Championship
40
4113 June 2003Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand MyanmarUnknown7–02003 AFC Women's Championship
4215 June 2003Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Chinese TaipeiUnknown5–02003 AFC Women's Championship
43
4412 July 2003National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan Mexico1–02–02003 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Play-offs
4520 September 2003Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, United States Argentina1–06–02003 FIFA Women's World Cup
462–0
4727 September 2003Gillette Stadium, Boston, United States Canada1–01–32003 FIFA Women's World Cup
4818 April 2004National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan VietnamUnknown7–0Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics qualification
4918 December 2004Nishigaoka Stadium, Tokyo, Japan Chinese Taipei6–011–0Kirin Challenge Cup
5021 May 2005Nishigaoka Stadium, Tokyo, Japan New Zealand1–06–0Kirin Challenge Cup
513–0
5228 May 2005Russia RussiaUnknown2–0Friendly
5310 March 2006Italy ScotlandUnknown4–0Friendly
5419 July 2006Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia Vietnam1–05–02006 AFC Women's Asian Cup
552–0
5619 July 2006Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia Chinese Taipei4–111–12006 AFC Women's Asian Cup
579–1
5830 November 2006Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar Jordan10–013–0Football at the 2006 Asian Games
5913–0
6010 March 2007National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan Mexico1–02–02007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Play-off
617 April 2007Tokyo, Japan Vietnam1–02–0Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualification
6215 April 2007Thailand Thailand1–04–0Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualification
633 June 2007Tokyo, Japan South Korea6–06–1Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualification
644 August 2007Vietnam Vietnam7–08–0Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualification
6512 August 2007Tokyo, Japan Thailand1–05–0Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualification
6618 February 2008Chongqing, China North Korea3–23–22008 EAFF Women's Football Championship
675 July 2008Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam China1–01–32008 AFC Women's Asian Cup
688 July 2008Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Australia3–03–02008 AFC Women's Asian Cup
6924 July 2008Kobe, Japan AustraliaUnknown3–0Friendly
706 August 2008Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Qinhuangdao, China New Zealand2–22–22008 Summer Olympics
7112 August 2008Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai, China Norway4–15–12008 Summer Olympics
7215 August 2008Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Qinhuangdao, China China1–02–02008 Summer Olympics
7320 May 2010Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu, China Myanmar2–08–02010 AFC Women's Asian Cup
747–0
7530 May 2010Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu, China China2–02–02010 AFC Women's Asian Cup
761 July 2011BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany Mexico1–04–02011 FIFA Women's World Cup
773–0
784–0
7913 July 2011Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany Sweden2–13–12011 FIFA Women's World Cup
8017 July 2011Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany United States2–22–2 (3–1 p.s.o)2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
8111 July 2012National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan Australia3–03–0Friendly (Kirin Challenge Cup 2012)
8222 May 2014Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam China1–02–12014 AFC Women's Asian Cup
8324 May 2015Kagawa Marugame Stadium, Kagawa, Japan New Zealand1–01–0Friendly (MS&AD Nadeshiko Cup 2015)

Matches and goals scored at World Cup and Olympic tournaments

Sawa has competed in six FIFA Women's World Cups (Sweden 1995, USA 1999, USA 2003, China 2007, Germany 2011, and Canada 2015); she and Brazil's Formiga, who competed at the same Women's World Cups, are the only players of either sex to appear in six World Cup final tournaments. Sawa has also represented Japan in four Olympics: Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. In all, she played 41 matches and scored 11 goals at those ten global tournaments.[37] Sawa was a member of the Japanese teams that won the 2011 Women's World Cup, and were runners-up at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2015 Women's World Cup.

Key (expand for notes on "world cup and olympic goals")
Location Geographic location of the venue where the competition occurred
Lineup Start – played entire match
on minute (off player) – substituted on at the minute indicated, and player was substituted off at the same time

off minute (on player) – substituted off at the minute indicated, and player was substituted on at the same time
(c) – captain

Min The minute in the match the goal was scored. For list that include caps, blank indicates played in the match but did not score a goal.
Assist/pass The ball was passed by the player, which assisted in scoring the goal. This column depends on the availability and source of this information.
penalty or pk Goal scored on penalty-kick which was awarded due to foul by opponent. (Goals scored in penalty-shoot-out, at the end of a tied match after extra-time, are not included.)
Score The match score after the goal was scored.
Result The final score.

W – match was won
L – match was lost to opponent
D – match was drawn
(W) – penalty-shoot-out was won after a drawn match
(L) – penalty-shoot-out was lost after a drawn match

aet The score at the end of extra-time; the match was tied at the end of 90' regulation
pso Penalty-shoot-out score shown in parentheses; the match was tied at the end of extra-time
Orange background color – Olympic women's football tournament
Blue background color – FIFA women's world cup final tournament

Honors

Yomiuri/Nippon TV Beleza

INAC Kobe Leonessa

Japan

Individual

Personal life

Sawa attended Teikyo University in 1999 until her club team- Nippon TV Beleza- ended her club contract, forcing her to drop out to go play club football in the United States.[8]

On 11 August 2015, Sawa announced her marriage without naming her husband. The next day, when asked, she said that her husband was former Vegalta Sendai player Hiroaki Tsujikami.[40] On 10 January 2017, it was announced that she had given birth to a baby girl.[41]

In 2013, Sawa was made an ambassador for Japan’s bid for the 2020 Olympics, which was later chosen to be hosted in Tokyo.[42][43] In 2021, she pulled out of the 2020 Summer Olympics torch relay due to a chronic inner-ear condition.[44]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ This record was held until Formiga participated in her seventh World Cup in 2019.

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 – List of Players: Japan" (PDF). FIFA. 28 July 2014. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ↑ 2015 World Cup
  3. ↑ Lewis, Michael (3 August 2016). "The 20 greatest female football players of all time". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  4. ↑ Peters, Jerrad (4 July 2013). "Ranking the 10 Greatest Female Soccer Players in History". bleacherreport.com. Bleacher Report. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  5. ↑ Matchett, Karl (5 December 2014). "20 Greatest Women Footballers of All Time". bleacherreport.com. Bleacher Report. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "Homare Sawa". 2012 London Olympics Committee. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  7. ↑ "Star bio: Japan's Homare Sawa". CBC Sports. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "La historia de las "Nadeshiko Japan", que se preparan así para enfrentar este martes, de madrugada, a Chile". todofutbol.cl. Todofútbol.cl. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  9. ↑ nikkansports.com(in Japanese)
  10. ↑ Match Report at Japan Football Association(in Japanese)
  11. 1 2 3 Borden, Sam (9 March 2015). "Japanese Women Play Without Their Superstar". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  12. 1 2 Kassouf, Jeff (9 June 2015). "Sawa, Formiga set record with 6th World Cups". equalizersoccer.com. Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  13. ↑ "2003 FIFA World Cup (™) Match Report". fifaworldcup.yahoo.com. Yahoo. 12 July 2003. Archived from the original on 31 August 2005. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  14. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (1 July 2011). "Japan throttles Mexico 4-0, Sawa nets hat trick". equalizersoccer.com. Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  15. ↑ "Sawa's hat trick powers Japan in rout of Mexico". japantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 3 July 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  16. ↑ "USA v Japan - as it happened". Guardian. 17 July 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  17. ↑ "Sawa: I could never imagine this". fifa.com. FIFA. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  18. ↑ "Japan's Homare Sawa is FIFA women's player of the year". BBC News. 9 January 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  19. ↑ "Sawa, Messi named Players of Year". japantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  20. ↑ "Aya Miyama announced as new Nadeshiko Japan's captain, Homare Sawa steps down". womenssoccerunited.com. Women’s Soccer United. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  21. 1 2 Kassouf, Jeff (1 May 2015). "Sawa makes Japan roster for record 6th World Cup". equalizersoccer.com. Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  22. ↑ "U.S. defeats Nadeshiko Japan 2-1 in women's Olympic soccer final". japantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  23. ↑ "Japan's Sawa set to quit international football". Reuters. 11 August 2012. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  24. ↑ "Japan trio in running for FIFA award". japantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 27 October 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  25. ↑ "Japan secures spot in Women's Asian Cup final". japantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  26. ↑ "Lesser lights eye share of the spotlight". FIFA. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  27. ↑ "Matildas fall short in Women's Asian Cup final". The Guardian. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  28. 1 2 "After one-year absence, Sawa named to Nadeshiko Japan squad for Women's World Cup". thejapantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  29. ↑ "Okudera, Sawa inducted into AFC Hall of Fame". thejapantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  30. ↑ Curren, Ray (23 June 2015). "Round of 16 game preview – Japan vs Netherlands". equalizersoccer.com. Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  31. ↑ "Sawa returns with winning goal as Nadeshiko beat New Zealand". The Japan Times. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  32. ↑ Lauletta, Dan (8 June 2015). "Japan opens title defense by edging Switzerland, 1-0". equalizersoccer.com. Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  33. ↑ "Japan legend Sawa makes cut for sixth World Cup". Reuters. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  34. ↑ Odong, Ann (17 December 2015). "Japan legend Homare Sawa announces retirement". thewomensgame.com. The Women’s Game. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  35. ↑ Japan Football Association(in Japanese)
  36. ↑ List of match in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Archived 11 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine at Japan Football Association (in Japanese)
  37. ↑ "FIFA Player Statistics: Homare SAWA". FIFA. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007.
  38. ↑ "IFFHS BEST WOMAN PLAYER - AFC - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020". IFFHS. 3 February 2021.
  39. ↑ "IFFHS WOMAN TEAM - AFC - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020". IFFHS. 30 January 2021.
  40. ↑ "Sawa breaks silence about husband". The Japan Times. Kyodo. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  41. ↑ "Ex-Nadeshiko star Sawa gives birth to girl". The Japan Times. Kyodo. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  42. ↑ "Tokyo 2020 officials head to Europe". japantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  43. ↑ "Inose pitches Tokyo '20 Games bid". japantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  44. ↑ "Nadeshiko Japan hero Homare Sawa to miss Tokyo Olympic torch relay". japantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
Match reports
  1. 1 2 "FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Japan – Mexico". FIFA. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013.
  2. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Sweden 1995: MATCH Report: Germany – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013.
  3. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Sweden 1995: MATCH Report: Brazil – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Sweden 1995: MATCH Report: Sweden – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Atlanta 1996: Match Report: Germany – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014.
  6. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Atlanta 1996: Match Report: Brazil – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Atlanta 1996: Match Report: Norway – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 1999: MATCH Report: Japan – Canada". FIFA. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012.
  9. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 1999: MATCH Report: Japan – Russia". FIFA. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012.
  10. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 1999: MATCH Report: Norway – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012.
  11. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 2003: MATCH Report: Japan – Argentina". FIFA.
  12. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 2003: MATCH Report: Germany – Japan". FIFA.
  13. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 2003: MATCH Report: Canada – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013.
  14. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Athens 2004: Match Report: Sweden – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013.
  15. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Athens 2004: Match Report: Japan – Nigeria". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013.
  16. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Athens 2004: Match Report: USA – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013.
  17. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: China PR 2007: MATCH Report: Japan – England". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013.
  18. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: China PR 2007: MATCH Report: Argentina – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013.
  19. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: China PR 2007: MATCH Report: Germany – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013.
  20. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: Japan – New Zealand". FIFA. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013.
  21. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: USA – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013.
  22. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: Norway – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013.
  23. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: China PR – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013.
  24. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: Japan – USA". FIFA. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013.
  25. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: Germany – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013.
  26. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Japan – New Zealand". FIFA. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013.
  27. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: England – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013.
  28. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Germany – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013.
  29. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Japan – Sweden". FIFA. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013.
  30. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Japan – USA". FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013.
  31. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012: Match Report: Japan – Canada". FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013.
  32. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012: Match Report: Japan – Sweden". FIFA. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012.
  33. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012: Match Report: Brazil – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 6 August 2012.
  34. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012: Match Report: France – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 8 August 2012.
  35. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012: Match Report: USA – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 10 August 2012.
  36. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Japan – Switzerland". FIFA. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015.
  37. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Japan – Cameroon". FIFA. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015.
  38. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Ecuador – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015.
  39. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Japan – Netherlands". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 June 2015.
  40. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Australia – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 24 June 2015.
  41. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: USA – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015.
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